The Our House Band
It was beautiful and frankly spine chilling for me to hear the sounds of David Crosby’s Déjà vu and Delta wafting out through the closed stage door in the alley of the Des Plaines Theatre in Illinois as I awaited the doors to officially open to the public for a concert on Saturday August 3, 2024. After David Crosby passed away I didn’t think I’d hear those haunting notes again. For one night, the sounds came alive once more via the performance of songs by the mystical CSNY quartet, the trio (CSN), duos (Crosby-Nash), and solo material.
The band behind the stage door rehearsing was Our House, an eight piece unit led by former CPR (Crosby-Pevar-Raymond) band members James Raymond on keyboards (David’s son), guitarist Jeff Pevar & drummer Stevie DiStanislao. Adding sweetness to the mix, guitar/vocals were provided by Astrid Young (Neil’s sister – sorry I don’t believe in half-anything when describing family relations) who also showcased a few of her own tunes, and the bass was driven by Elijah Thomson (Father John Misty, & a member of the band Everest who opened for Neil on his Fall 2008 tour).
Additional keyboards and haunting vocals were provided by Michelle Willis (Crosby’s Lighthouse Band). If you caught the opening act of Neil Young’s relatively recent Coastal Tour you’d recognize the incredible harmonica/vocals of Chris Pierce. Lead guitar and vocals were astutely provided by Steve Postell (Crosby’s band & performer at Stephen Stills’ Light Up The Blues Autism Charity concert). An added bonus of attending the show in Des Plaines was the one-off and rare appearance of CSNY photographer Henry Diltz who came up on stage to tell behind the scenes stories at several points during the night. This man was part of the West Coast scene as a performer and photographer before the birth of the Buffalo Springfield. What a blessing to see and hear him. Have you heard the story of Neil cranking the sound of a large herd of cows while Henry sat petrified in Neil’s barn admiring a Lionel train set-up? Killer stuff.
I want to individually thank the estimated 8.9 million people who live in the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs who failed to show up with me in the alley outside the stage door of the Des Plaines Theatre. God Bless all of you! Your selfless action allowed me to meet and chat with the entire band and Henry Diltz, without interruption. For me, the most special conversation I had was with Henry Diltz. I had never met him before but have wanted to for decades, and I came prepared with one of his photos just in case. The next thing I know, Henry and I were sitting next to each other on a concrete parking lot barrier chatting about his years covering CSNY. When I mentioned I was heading out the next day to see former CSNY bass player Calvin Fuzzy Samuel perform, his eyes got as big as saucers. “You tell Calvin I said Hi!”, he said as we parted ways.
John Kwit & Henry Diltz
Now I could sit here and rattle off the entire Our House concert set list but that’s not going to happen. I’ll tease you by sharing one song performed for each member: Long Time Gone (Crosby), Suite Judy Blue Eyes (Stills) and Teach Your Children (Nash). For Neil fans, I’ll mention the one song of his that was absolutely stunning: Southern Man. Chris Pierce’s vocals and harmonica playing were simply incredible on that tune, and his deep baritone reminded me of the great performer Paul Robeson. Some of you youngsters may need to Google that name.
The Our House band wrapped things up with a string of shows on the East Coast, closing with a gig in Bethel, New York on August 18. I hope you caught them live while their roughly 20 show tour occurred during July and August. I do have one wish and that is that the band will go into the studio and record original material and then go back on tour to share it with the world. This much talent should not be wasted. I have to give a special shout out to two of the performers. I’ve always been floored by James Raymond’s keyboard talents. His improvisational pieces are mind blowing. Like a fine wine, he’s only gotten better with age. Then there’s Michelle Willis. Picture a smoky 1940’s cabaret lounge inhabited by a character like Humphrey Bogart sipping whiskey on the rocks and you can imagine Michelle’s sultry yet angelic voice beaming over the pounding keys. Shameless plug: Check out her recent triple vinyl album (Just One Voice). All music, no filler and no etching on Side F.
As a follower of all things CSNY, I have seen more shows from all these individuals and their offshoots of the family tree than I can shake a stick at. My long-suffering wife can attest to that. As has been pointed out to me more than once, how many shows in a multi-night stand must one attend before you’ve seen enough? I’m still searching for the answer.
Frankly I don’t know how I’ve been so blessed in this life when it comes to CSNY. My adventure began with a love of their music in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s. When I learned how to drive and got a car, concert doors opened up. Snail mail correspondence and trading with fellow fans brought live concert tapes, photos, newsletters and assorted ephemera. When I got a job, my spending money provided books, magazines, posters, bootleg vinyl & CDs. Then came an obsession with collecting autographs. Decade upon decade of collecting autographs. I mean if I’m going to see the show I might as well wait by the stage door and see who pops out. Most of the time, members of the CSNY family were happy to oblige with their John Hancock on a single book or photo or record. Then the lightbulb came on for me. Since I had read virtually every scrap of information available in print and the family seemed comfortable talking to me, why not see if I could actually sit down and pepper them with interesting yet uncommon interview questions?
My love of writing led to my friendship with Dolf van Stijgeren of the Netherlands who ran the CSNY website 4WaySite.com. I was honored to do email, phone and in-person-sit-down-across-the-table-and-look-me-in-the-eye interviews with many members of the CSNY family: James Raymond, Shane Fontayne, Johny Barbata, Greg Reeves, Fuzzy Samuel & David Crosby. It’s mind boggling for me to think that I was actually engaged in the lively art of conversation with them. I have to pinch myself to remind me it wasn’t just a dream.
The most humbling of all of these adventures involves my friendship with Calvin Fuzzy Samuel. Yes, the fellow on the cover of the Four Way Street live album circa 1971, the compadre on Stephen Stills’ solo work and the ultimate folk/bluegrass/rock band Manassas. How can you not smile when you simply say the name “Fuzzy”? At some point back around 2009 I decided that I needed to meet Fuzzy. He was not easy to find but I somehow found out about a show he was putting on at a coffee house in Findlay, Ohio, a mere 6 or 7 hour drive from my home. I called the coffee house while I was driving to make sure he was still going to play. The owner answered the phone and said, “He’s standing right here I’ll put him on the phone with you.” Panic set in. I’m surprised I didn’t fly into the ditch. After speaking to Fuzzy and telling him I was planning to see the show and then immediately turn back around and drive home without any sleep I’m sure he thought I was more than a little nuts. Well the show was great, we chatted beforehand and after the show he says, “Do you mind driving me to my friends apartment? I’m going over to play some more music.” So not only did I get a chance to meet him but he sat in the front seat of my beat up car with his guitar case in the back.
Our friendship has only grown deeper through the years, not only with him but with his wife and children. I may be blessed to be the only person in the world to receive a call from Fuzzy looking for a ride from the airport and a bed to put his head down on. Before retiring for the night on that occasion we listened to Beatles bootleg recordings of the White Album and I woke up to the incredible site of Fuzzy making eggs in my cramped galley kitchen early the next morning. Perhaps this sort of thing has also happened to Stephen Stills but I’m guessing he didn’t have a demo of the White Album on in the background. If I’m wrong, Stephen, I encourage you to write in to Thrasher as well to set the story straight. Life is surreal.
Which leads me to the second part of my Family Weekend: Fuzzy Samuel and Jennifer Stills (Stephen’s daughter) performing at the Erie Pennsylvania Jazz Festival on Sunday August 4, 2024. Yes, another 6+ hour drive from my home but well worth the time and effort. And once again I avoided flying into the ditch.
Erle Blues & Jazz Fest flyer
It’s a very, very rare treat to see Calvin perform live and he did not disappoint. There were plenty of familiar treats, as not only was he on the bill with Jennifer and a backing band performing several CSNY-related numbers (Love the One You’re With, Helpless, Long Time Gone) but they threw in an absolutely scorching version of the Manassas song, Isn’t It About Time, from the album Down the Road. It’s been a while since I’ve had the hair stand up on the back of my arm when listening to music but their rendition of that song was the ultimate musical highlight of my weekend. Putting the song in the set was supposedly Jennifer’s idea. Her dad would be proud. She also treated the crowd to a solo number called Leave the Rest to Burn. Calvin was joined on stage by his wife (a performing artist in her own right - Rosalila) for several numbers and then two of his adorable young children joined in for an Antiguan-rhythm inspired set closer called Carnival which got the Erie festival crowd on their feet and dancing.
Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuel & Family
Jennifer Stills
After the show Calvin and Jennifer discussed their current solo work in the recording studio laying down the tracks for eventual individual new releases. Calvin is reaching back to his Antiguan inspired album, Island Breeze. At the close of the night, Jennifer and Calvin agreed to do a special shout out to Henry Diltz. Right back at you, Henry!
Jennifer/Calvin with sign for Henry
Truly a weekend to remember!
Now put pen to paper and share your CSNY related memories with Thrasher.
Thanks again JK! Keep on postin' Intergalactic Music reports from the free worlds!!!
Great to see you last year @ Farm Aid 2023! We'll miss you @ Farm Aid 2024.
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